How do the sights, smells, and sounds of a city affect the senses of people with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)?

Dr Sandra Beale-Ellis explores the sensory benefits and challenges of cities for people with an ASC and invites readers to understand the different ways in which they can experience a city from a sensory perspective. Sandra, who has been clinically diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome, describes how she experiences the city through the lens of ASC, picking up on things that a neurotypical (non-autistic) person might not. As well as introducing the wonders of the city that neurotypical people rarely see, this book also provides readers who have an ASC with solutions to the negative or overwhelming sensory experiences that a city can bring about. The book covers four main areas of city life: travel, eating out, entertainment and living.

Published by Jessica Kingsley PublishersClick here to order Click here to read about the author

This new book offers a start to finish guide for potential autistic students, their parents and for teachers who are or want to teach students with autism. The book is not about autism theory per se, but is a practical guide aimed at young autistic individuals who want to take up a martial art, but need to know more. It is distinctive in that it also offers parent advice, and has a section specifically for martial arts teachers who are either new to teaching autistic students or would like to expand their knowledge and skills. Author of Autism and Martial Arts: A Guide for Children, Parents and Teachers, is Dr Sandra Beale-Ellis, a 6th Dan in Karate with over twenty years experience of teaching students with and without special needs; fourteen of those specialising in autism. What makes her knowledge unique is that she has been clinically diagnosed with Asperger s Syndrome (a form of autism) and the book comes from both personal experience as a teacher and as a student. It is also based on her doctoral research completed late in 2013; this explored the learning experiences within sport and physical activities including martial arts, of a wide range of autistic individuals. Sandra's Doctorate in Education (Autism) was gained from Sheffield Hallam University where there is a specialist nationally respected Autism Unit. During her study Sandra visited various martial arts clubs to work with their students and conduct her research. Sandra is keen to enable more martial arts clubs to be inclusive across the UK. Autistic students can benefit from the structure and discipline martial arts clubs offer, but it is essential that teachers know what to expect from their students, so that they can plan their classes to suit everyone while knowing how to accommodate any differences. Her experience shows the students want to be taught but parents need to have confidence that a martial art teacher has some knowledge which will help their child. Within her role as Director of a national martial arts governing body Sandra has spoken to many individuals who are interested in expanding their student base to be more inclusive but simply don't know how.

Published by NAKMAS PublishingClick here to order Click here to read about the author

In Mikkyo—Japanese esoteric Buddhism—the dragon Kurikara symbolizes the internal energy developed through sword practice. Kurikara is a manifestation of the fierce bodhisattva Fudo Myo O, the patron of ascetics and warriors in Japan, who uses his sword to destroy delusions and sever attachments. Fudo's sword represents the gaining of discriminative power and decisiveness—the ability to cut through illusion and attachment. This leads to the development of an inner energy that allows one to "burn up" all obstacles to spiritual freedom.

Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent sets out the eight basic principles of swordsmanship common to all Japanese sword schools, emphasizing the cultivation of power and mental focus. Accomplished martial artist John Evans provides practical examples from his experience with the sword arts as well as Mikkyo and shugendo (mountain asceticism). The first foreign student to train with Nakamura Taisaburo sensei—widely acknowledged as the master of the sword art battodo—Evans clearly explains how skill such as Nakamurua sensei's can be systematically developed through tanren, exercises that meld "inner" and "outer" power. Filled with fascinating anecdotes from Evans's training in Japan, Kurikara is a useful, inspiring guide to Japanese sword practice and its spiritual underpinnings.

Published by North Atlantic BooksClick here to order Click here to read about the author

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